Compare Rural Sri Lanka: off the beaten track by Audley Travel vs Sri Lanka by Travel for All
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 14 days | 13 days |
Price From | $ 3,827 | $ 3,329 |
Price Per Day | $ 273 | $ 256 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Private guided tour | Self-guided tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
An incredibly diverse but relatively small island nation, Sri Lanka offers magnificent wildlife, world-class cultural attractions and glorious beaches. With no long distances to cover, even a short trip can include a wide range of experiences and activities such as spotting leopards and elephants on safari, observing whales and dolphins off the south coast or marvelling at the wonders of the Golden Triangle. Step back in time with a visit to the ancient capitals of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa or the Dambulla cave temples. Visit colonial Galle or simply relax beneath swaying palms on the golden beaches of the southwest or less-visited northeast. |
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia. Travel-for-All can help plan your fully accessible Sri Lanka Vacation. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Colombo.
Day 2 : Wadumunnegedara
On arrival in Colombo you will be met by one of our representatives and then driven to your accommodation in the countryside. Horathapola Estate is an old planter's house set in the middle of a coconut plantation, surrounded by paddy fields.
Day 3 : Wadumunnegedara
Visit Yapahuwa this morning. Built around a granite rock, the remnants of this city show where one of the ancient capitals of medieval Sri Lanka once was. Explore with your chauffeur-guide before returning to Horathapola to relax this afternoon. The swimming pool and gardens are ideal to unwind.
Day 4 : Pallepola
After a leisurely breakfast you will be driven (approximately three hours) to your next hotel, a farmstay which is more luxurious than it sounds - an Audley favourite. Jim's Farm is a wonderful base for exploring within the cultural triangle. En route you will have chance to stop for photo opportunities or for a refreshment break.
Day 5 : Pallepola
This morning you will visit Sigiriya Rock accompanied by your chauffeur guide, who will be able to provide you with the history of the rock as you admire the views on the top. Ensure you wear sensible shoes and take water with you - although not the easiest of climbs, the views reward your hard work.Afterwards you will visit the Dambulla Caves, dating back to the 1st Century. All of the caves contain varying sizes of statues of Buddha and several have impressive ceiling frescos.
Day 6 : Pallepola
Today you will visit nearby Aluvihara and Matale. In Aluvihara, you can spend time exploring the rock temple, which is said to date back to the 1st Century BC. If you like temples, the Sri Muthumariamman Temple in Matale is also worth seeing. Otherwise, Matale is well known for its spice markets, which are fun to explore.
Day 7 : Pallepola
Your chauffeur guide will collect you after breakfast and accompany you to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's second capital. The drive there takes around 90 minutes. The ancient city ruins have a mix of both Buddhist and Hindu influence, and are a great place to learn more about the history of Sri Lanka.
Day 8 : Anamaduwa
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you will drive north to The Mudhouse. The drive will take around three hours, but you will get to see more of the lovely Sri Lankan scenery en route. On arrival you will be made to feel very welcome by the staff who will show you to your accommodation for the next two nights.
Day 9 : Anamaduwa
Enjoy a leisurely day today taking in the surroundings of The Mudhouse. You can take kayaks out onto the lake, borrow bicycles to explore, or if you are interested in learning about Sri Lankan cookery you would be most welcome in the kitchen to watch or help out.
Day 10 : Alankuda
After a leisurely breakfast you will have the chance to visit Paramakanda Temple before being driven for around 90 minutes to the coast where you will then spend the last four nights of your holiday at leisure.
Day 11 : Alankuda
Day at leisure. If you wanted to see some wildlife, consider a day excursion to Wilpattu National Park - Sri Lanka's largest park who's name literally translates to 'land of the lakes'.
Day 12 : Alankuda
Day at leisure. If you're feeling active, take to the ocean to go kite-surfing (seasonal - weather dependent), lobster fishing or diving. The hotel will be happy to help with arrangements.
Day 13 : Alankuda
Day at leisure. If travelling between November and April, arrange a boat trip with the hotel to head out and be amongst the dolphins which play off this coast during these months. For a more relaxing day, book ahead and spend a day in the hotel's spa.
Day 14 : International return flight
You will be driven back to Colombo for your flight today. Depending on flight times, you may need to spend a night in Colombo as the drive from Alankuda takes around four hours. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Day 1: Arrival In Colombo – Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka!
We have conceived with care, itineraries comfortably designed to welcome manual wheelchair users, answering the needs of less mobile travelers to enable an exciting and serene visit of Sri Lanka.
We wish you a great trip to Sri Lanka, rich in encounters and discoveries.
Upon arrival, warm welcome at the airport by your guide and your driver.
Drive to the local market of Negombo located nearby the airport. This market is the 2nd most important one of the island. You will find there all kinds of fishs and sea shells displayed directly on the floor. This visit is an ideal occasion to immerse yourself sofly in the local ambiance.
Tour of the little town of Negombo.
After those visits, check in at your hotel located by the sea, in the little town of Negombo.
Lunch at the hotel.
Free time in the afternoon to relax.
Day 2: Negombo - Sigiriya
Today, drive to the center of Sri Lanka, to explore the great treasures of the island.
You will cross a part of the island of Ceylon with its rich landscapes and lush vegetation. Do not be surprised if elephants cross the road in front of your vehicle!
North of Sri Lanka offers one of the best highlights of the island with its former capitals Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
Lunch will be served on the way in a comfortable local restaurant.
In mid-afternoon, you will reach the great rock of Sigiriya. It is an enormous red stone overlooking by 150 meters a lush forest. Photo stop to admire this spectacular landscape.
Check-in and dinner at your hotel
Day 3: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
In the morning, drive north bound to explore the great archeological site of Polonnaruwa. This site was at the 11th century the capital of the kingdom of Ceylon. Numerous palaces and temples were built there, making this area the most active place of the island for art and religion.
Now that this site has been invaded by the forest, it has become a peaceful archeological park.
Have a tour of 2 to 3 hours to explore the major sites of this area.
Visit a wood art factory located nearby the site.
Lunch in a local restaurant with a fantastic view on the lake.
After lunch, drive back to your hotel.
Enjoy some time to relax in the afternoon.
Day 4: Sigiriya
In mid-morning, departure to the country side of Sri Lanka for a moment among nature.
In a traditional house of the region, be welcome by a local family for an unforgettable encounter.
In company of your host, learn about the local gastronomy and give a hand in the kitchen to help preparing the traditional meal: “Rice and Curry”!
Local lunch in a traditionnal house.
Back to the hotel for some free time.
At the end of the afternoon, head to a massage parlor for 1h30 of Ayurveda massage. Select the treatment of your choice.
Day 5: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy
Today, drive to the city of Kandy, the spiritual capital of the island.
On your way, in Matale, visit spices gardens with pepper, cardamom, chilly etc.
With your local guide you will learn plenty about those condiments and plants.
Lunch at the spice gardens.
Continue your journey to Kandy. Located at 350 meters of altitude and surrounded by hills, Kandy is the cultural center of the country.
The city became British in 1815. Nested between rice fields and tea plantations, circled by the great river of Mahaweli, Kandy is a handicraft, art and dance jewel.
Arrival at your hotel in Kandy and check-in into your rooms.
At the end of the afternoon, head to the central lake of the city to enjoy a traditional dance show: dance of the fire, dance of the harvest, dance of the offerings etc are performed in colorful traditional costumes along with musicians.
Continue to the Temple of the Tooth. Not to be missed in Kandy, this temple which was achieved in 1782. It hosts one of the most precious relic of Buddhism: the tooth of the “illuminated”, the tooth of Buddha. This tooth would have been saved from the flames in 543 BC, then after epic stories, it would have traveled to Ceylon. It has become the most precious treasure of the island.
Day 6: Kandy - Pinnawela - Kandy
This morning, departure for the Elephants sanctuary!
The place belongs to a local family taking care of retired elephants.
Visit of the foundation.
At the artisanal workshop, the elephants’ poo is recycled to make … writing paper!
It is now time for the bath of the elephants. The peaceful giants invite you to come and scrub their back!
Lunch by the river, in the park of the foundation.
On your way back to Kandy in the afternoon, stop for a nice promenade in the great gardens of
Peradeniya : the largest botanical garden of the island, covering 60 hectares nested by the banks of the river Mahaweli. This garden offers an impressive collection of orchids and of palm trees planted in 1950.
Moment of leisure at your hotel and departure for dinner in a restaurant offering a fantastic panoramic view on the city.
Day 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
This morning, departure to a hilly region of Sri Lanka: the region of Nuwara Eliya.
You will explore today the country of Tea! Landscapes of the plantations are unique. The quality of the tea depends on the altitude at which it is cultivated. The harvest is, still today, done by hand by women generally dressed in their traditional outfit: the longhi.
Visit of a tea plantation and tasting of one of the best tea in the world !
Lunch in Nuwara Eliya.
The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit of the small town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is an enchanting place located in the mountains, which is very different from the rest of the country. Your are transported to the ancient colonial atmosphere of Sri Lanka, surrounded by English cottages, golf courses and colonial buildings.
Arrival in mid-afternoon at your hotel.
Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park
Departure to Yala, at the extreme south of the island.
You will take the most scenic road of the country before going back down the southern meadows.
Arrival in Yala National Park. Check-in in your hotel located in the heart of the National Park. You will probably witness elephants crossing the yard of your hotel.
Lunch in your lodge in Yala National Park.
In mid-afternoon you will get onboard a Jeep for an adventurous tour in the National Park. Created in 1899, this reserve is 1200 km. It is a great spot to watch wildlife.
Day 9: Yala National Park - South of Sri Lanka
Beginning of the morning to enjoy the park before driving on the beautiful road along the coast of the island.
Lunch with a great view on the ocean.
Arrival at your hotel for 4 nights.
Day 10: South of Sri Lanka - Galle
In the morning, departure for a tour to the city of Galle.
Galle is an ancient Dutch counter and is one of the most charming place of the island. Inside the fort, you will enjoy wandering in the small streets.
This quiet city of 76.000 people used to be the main Dutch counter for the trade of spices. You will see colonial buildings as well as the « Groote Kerk », a church built in 1754.
Time at leisure for souvenir shopping.
Back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 11: South of Sri Lanka
Day at leisure to enjoy your hotel and its surroundings.
Day 12: South of Sri Lanka - Departure
Morning at leisure to prepare your suitcase.
Transfer to the airport depending on the schedule of your international flight.
Say good-bye to the land of tea and spices!